New York Farm BureauNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94New York Farm BureauTue, 06 Sep 2016 07:25:59 +0000New York Farm Bureauhttp://wrvo.org
Alex CrichtonNew York farmers are experiencing the worst drought conditions in generations, and while the industry may suffer a setback, it will persevere. That's from Dean Norton, the president of the New York Farm Bureau, a lobbying group for agribusiness. Norton says one immediate concern is for dairy farmers. He says the dairy industry is going through a price downturn, and as they receive lower prices for their products, dairy farmers are also facing the prospect of a shortage of feed this fall. "We're trying to work with Cornell Cooperative Extension and some of their folks in the affected regions to try to put producers who might have extra outstanding corn or feed available to make those available to dairy producers who are going to be in need themselves," he said. Norton says the consumer shouldn't see much of a price increase in the dairy aisle, but there will likely be a local impact. "At some of the farmer's markets and farmer’s stands, you're going to see less local product and lessFarm Bureau: Drought worst in generations http://wrvo.org/post/farm-bureau-drought-worst-generations
93273 as http://wrvo.orgMon, 05 Sep 2016 09:25:00 +0000Farm Bureau: Drought worst in generations Karen DeWitt Supporters and opponents of a $15 minimum wage in New York are blasting reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers have reached a compromise that could stretch out the phase in period, and exempt farmers from the higher pay requirements. With the March 31 deadline looming, and the Easter holiday in between, Cuomo and the Senate and Assembly are trying to negotiate a compromise on the governor’s proposal to phase in a $15 minimum wage for New York state. Word spread of a possible deal to stretch out the phase in to $15 to up to nine years for upstate regions. Backers of the governor’s plan for a five-year phase in are dismayed. Ron Deutsch is with Fiscal Policy Institute, a think tank that received partial funding from the governor’s own campaign to raise the minimum wage, which is named after his father -- the late former Gov. Mario Cuomo. “The rumor mill is flying right now,” said Deutsch, who said his group would prefer a six-year phase-in period. The group Citizen ActionPotential framework deal on minimum wage decried by supporters and opponentshttp://wrvo.org/post/potential-framework-deal-minimum-wage-decried-supporters-and-opponents
86274 as http://wrvo.orgFri, 25 Mar 2016 08:01:00 +0000Potential framework deal on minimum wage decried by supporters and opponentsKaren DeWittGov. Andrew Cuomo says he’s working on a proposal to give New York farmers a break should the State Senate agree to a plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.Cuomo says he’s putting together a “special modification” for the agricultural industry to help offset potential costs of increasing the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.“There are special conditions on farms, we understand that,” Cuomo said after an event in Niagara Falls. “And we’re putting together a special package for farmers. Because they pose a unique problem.”The governor did not provide details. The state’s Farm Bureau responded, saying it “appreciates that the governor recognizes the serious challenges farmers would face with a $15 minimum wage,” but says members remain opposed to the increase at this time, because they worry it would create economic hardships for small businesses. Cuomo floats plan to help farmers afford a $15 minimum wagehttp://wrvo.org/post/cuomo-floats-plan-help-farmers-afford-15-minimum-wage
86172 as http://wrvo.orgWed, 23 Mar 2016 08:41:00 +0000Cuomo floats plan to help farmers afford a $15 minimum wageEllen Abbott The New York State Farm Bureau is among the most vocal groups a proposed $15 dollar minimum wage in the state. They’re asking New Yorkers to put the pressure on state lawmakers who will decide whether to include the increase in the state budget. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 10,000 farms in New York state employ hired hands. Farms would be required to pay them $15 an hour if the proposal to raise the minimum wage is approved by the state legislature. And it would ultimately cost these farmers between $400 to 600 million a year, according to a report from Farm Credit East. Vernon dairy farmer Steve Adams says one reason it will hit him harder is that dairy prices are determined by the federal government, so he can’t raise the price of milk to offset the increased labor costs. "We get what they give us and deal with it. So it’s a matter of figuring out better business strategies, or cut back where we can,” said Adams. Jake Schieferstine, a dairy farmer and member ofFarmers, business groups in Utica area express concern over proposed minimum wage increasehttp://wrvo.org/post/farmers-business-groups-utica-area-express-concern-over-proposed-minimum-wage-increase
86101 as http://wrvo.orgTue, 22 Mar 2016 10:16:00 +0000Farmers, business groups in Utica area express concern over proposed minimum wage increaseTom MagnarelliAt tables across the country, Americans will be gathering around to eat turkey and the demand for local, pasture-raised turkeys is growing. The more expensive, small farm birds and the conventional turkeys from large farms both have their benefits and disadvantages. Pasture-raised turkeys vs. conventional turkeys: the pros and conshttp://wrvo.org/post/pasture-raised-turkeys-vs-conventional-turkeys-pros-and-cons
81173 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 26 Nov 2015 09:00:00 +0000Pasture-raised turkeys vs. conventional turkeys: the pros and consWRVO NewsAmid talks to raise the minimum wage in New York, farmers are calling on the lawmakers to keep it where it is. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is trying to increase the minimum wage to $10.50 upstate and $11.50 downstate. The New York Farm Bureau says the state has some of the highest agricultural labor costs in the country. They say farm workers in New York are paid $12.15 an hour on average. Dean Norton, a farmer in western New York and president of the state Farm Bureau, says whenever there’s a minimum wage hike, he’s forced to raise his wages, too. “If you’re going to give the minimum wage increase of 75 cents to one of your younger workers or probationary workers, you have to give that same wage rate to all your employees. Because if one gets a raise, they all want a raise,” said Norton. “And if that raise doesn’t get happening, you could lose some very good workers because they’re going to go to the place that will pay them more.” The minimum wage in New York state already scheduled toNY Farm Bureau does not want state minimum wage raisedhttp://wrvo.org/post/ny-farm-bureau-does-not-want-state-minimum-wage-raised
69892 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 19 Mar 2015 14:48:26 +0000NY Farm Bureau does not want state minimum wage raisedRyan Delaney The quality of roads and bridges in upstate New York is a concern for the state’s largest farming organization. If a bridge isn’t sturdy enough to support a heavy tractor or dairy tanker, say Farm Bureau policy director Jeff Williams, it creates a major hassle for farm hands, such as added time and detours onto more traveled routes "which isn’t particularly safe on the highway, and it leads to more diesel fuel costs and the like," he said. The Farm Bureau, a lobbying group for the state’s agriculture industry, is supporting proposals to spend nearly $2 billion in state funds to upgrades roads and bridges. It’s part of the bureau’s 2015 legislative agenda. We wouldn’t be anything; we would just be growers if we weren’t able to get our product to market," said Williams. "That’s the next logical step when you grow a product." Williams says he would also like the Thruway to be cheaper for trucks delivering produce. High toll prices hinder delivery to major metro areas, like New York City,Poor infrastructure and transport costs hindering ag industry, trade group sayshttp://wrvo.org/post/poor-infrastructure-and-transport-costs-hindering-ag-industry-trade-group-says
67530 as http://wrvo.orgWed, 28 Jan 2015 10:06:00 +0000Poor infrastructure and transport costs hindering ag industry, trade group saysVeronica Volk Farmers and agriculture industry leaders are coming in from all over the state for the New York Farm Bureau’s 58th State Annual Meeting. The Bureau kicked off its meeting by announcing they had broken their record for this year’s “Harvest for All,” a national farm donation program. In partnership with the Regional Food Bank Association and FoodLink, New York farmers have collectively donated 9.6 million pounds of produce. FoodLink's Co-Executive Director Jeanette Batiste-Harrison says this particular program is especially valuable to the community. "We've made an effort to not just make sure that they have enough food but to make sure that they have healthy food," Batiste-Harrison said. The Farm Bureau's President Dean Norton says while they did break last year's record, they haven't yet reached their goal. "We're hoping to announce by the end of the year that we've made the 10 million pound mark from food that's donated from New York farmers to those of us that are at need," NortonYoung farmers head effort to feed those in needhttp://wrvo.org/post/young-farmers-head-effort-feed-those-need
65965 as http://wrvo.orgMon, 22 Dec 2014 11:15:43 +0000Young farmers head effort to feed those in needEllen Abbott Farmers across New York state converged in central New York for the State Farm Bureau’s annual meeting this week. According to those at the meeting, the biggest problem these farmers face is too much paperwork."Whether it’s coming from the EPA, or USDA, or FDA with the Food Modernization Act, or whether it’s coming from Albany, the DEC, not that I want to put them down, although they’ve been good friends to us," said Farm Bureau President Dean Norton. "It’s just more and more paperwork we’re required to file and follow just so we can supply food, fuel and sustenance to our fellow New Yorkers and communities.”Right now, if farmers use irrigation, they test water once a season. But starting next year there will be new regulations in place."They’re going to have to do weekly testing on that water," Norton said. "Whether it’s coming from a well, a lake or a pond. That’s rather burdensome when you figure out you have to test it every week, send it to a lab that’s probably not in New York,Farmers say mounting state and federal paperwork is hurting businesshttp://wrvo.org/post/farmers-say-mounting-state-and-federal-paperwork-hurting-business
48112 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 05 Dec 2013 13:25:35 +0000Farmers say mounting state and federal paperwork is hurting businessKaren DeWitt While the focus has been on the partial federal government shut down, another important piece of legislation, the federal farm bill, has also expired.New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton said this is the third time in three years hes seen negotiations go down to the wire and beyond on farm legislation that regulates crop subsidies, milk prices, and nutrition programs.Its like déjà vu all over again, Norton said in a statement.Norton said the short term effects are few. Nearly all federal programs for farmers are in place until the end of the calendar year. Most farmers are harvesting crops right now and will be doing so for several more weeks. In November and December, Norton said farmers need to start planning for their spring crops. But without knowing how, or what, the government might pay them in subsidies, he said it will be difficult to make decisions.Dairy farmers have other worries. If theres no decision on a new farm bill by January, its possible that federal milk priceFarm Bill expiration worries New York's farmershttp://wrvo.org/post/farm-bill-expiration-worries-new-yorks-farmers
45040 as http://wrvo.orgWed, 02 Oct 2013 11:29:01 +0000Farm Bill expiration worries New York's farmersMatt Richmond A coalition of New York state environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the state’s environmental regulators in July. The groups claim that the Department of Environmental Conservation violated environmental law when it loosened the regulation of dairy farms. The result is that the state’s very public support of the yogurt industry may have hit a roadblock.During a highly publicized Yogurt Summit last year in Albany, Gov. Andrew Cuomo praised the spirit behind the industry in New York.“When you see an opportunity, grab it and get it done,” Cuomo said.But at the summit, it was New York’s small dairy farmers who saw an opportunity. One problem for New York’s yogurt production is a shortage of locally produced milk available, and as one farmer explained to the gathered officials, regulations were the cause."It will cost us $2,400 per cow to implement the regulations.”Kerry Adams is a dairy farmer in Ontario County. She said she’s limiting a planned expansion from 60 cows to 199Lawsuit challenges change to dairy regulationhttp://wrvo.org/post/lawsuit-challenges-change-dairy-regulation
42177 as http://wrvo.orgTue, 06 Aug 2013 10:41:07 +0000Lawsuit challenges change to dairy regulationRyan DelaneyThe New York Farm Bureau is optimistic following news that Congress is working to pass new immigration reforms. The bureau, a lobbying group, says it was very excited to hear the proposals made by a bipartisan group of senators and by President Barack Obama this week.NY Farm Bureau hopeful on immigration reformhttp://wrvo.org/post/ny-farm-bureau-hopeful-immigration-reform
32682 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 31 Jan 2013 21:09:33 +0000NY Farm Bureau hopeful on immigration reformKaren DeWittThe first of two Assembly hearings on the New York State Thruway Authority’s proposed truck toll increase was held in Albany Wednesday.Several Assembly Republicans, who are in the minority party in that house, held a hearing on the 45 percent toll increase for trucks proposed by the Cuomo administration’s Thruway Authority.Assembly holds hearing on Thruway Toll Hike Planhttp://wrvo.org/post/assembly-holds-hearing-thruway-toll-hike-plan
25559 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 06 Sep 2012 13:01:13 +0000Assembly holds hearing on Thruway Toll Hike Plan